Oct 24, 2014

The Beats & Bass Mixtape



THE HILLTOP HOODS
 Suffa (Matt Lambert), MC Pressure (Daniel Smith) and DJ Debris (Barry Francis) make up the Australian hip hop group. 

The Australian trio recently released their seventh studio album, Walking Under Stars. Their third album, The Calling, was the first Australian hip hop album to achieve platinum status, back in 2006. These guys can tackle almost any topic, from unrequited love to the disillusionment of a generation, with such savvy flair that you'll find yourself nodding your head to the beat, regardless. 

Do yourself a favor and turn the bass up!

Recommended:

1. Cosby Sweater

2. I Love It ft. Sia

3. Nosebleed Section


KELE
Kelechukwu "Kele" Okereke of Bloc Party fame


Kele has enjoyed a successful solo career, releasing his first studio album, The Boxer, in 2012 (produced by XXXChange). On October 13, 2014 he released his second solo album, Trick. Notably more electronic than his Bloc Party days, Trick plays like a melodic and, at times, haunting narrative of the human experience of love.

Recommended:

4. First Impressions

5. Closer


6. Humour Me


JUNGLE
Formerly known simply as "J and T," Josh Lloyd-Watson and Tom McFarland have been friends since childhood, growing up together in west London.

Jungle released their debut, self-titled album on July 14, 2014. This elusive British duo's sound has been called "midtempo 1970s-style funk" by the NYTimes. Pitchfork christened their flavor a "rather confectionary" mix of "bantamweight soul reminiscent of early '80s British acts." Whatever decade they draw their influences from, the resulting sound is unique, funky and full of soul.

Recommended:

7. Busy Earnin'

8. The Heat

9. Drops


MYKKI BLANCO
This poet, performer, rapper, and artist was born Michael Quattlebaum Jr., but is most commonly known by his female stage persona: Mykki Blanco.

Gender-defying Mykki Blanco has a knack for multiplicity. His raps are gritty, his voice is gravelly, and his flow is never anything less than eloquent. After dropping out of of art school (twice), Quattlebaum published a book of poetry in 2011, From the Silence of Duchamp to the Noise of Boys. 

More of a performer who raps than a rapper who performs, he explains in a recent interview, “right now I think of myself more as an artist working with rap." 

Recommended:

10. Wavvy

11. She Gutta

12. Wish You Would

Aug 30, 2014

The Mellow Out Mixtape


PHOX
Their original band name was "Phoxhat and the Virgins 4Ever Sextet."
I admit it: I'm a little biased when it comes to these guys. I grew up in southern Wisconsin (Phox hails from Baraboo, WI) and I received my B.A. from University of Wisconsin - Madison. 

That being said, these guys really are some sort of wonderful!

Their bio describes their sound as straddling "Feist and Monty Python." While their catalogue of music is pretty genre-defying to my ear, I wouldn't exactly disagree. 

Recommended:

1. Slow Motion

2. 1936

3. Kingfisher


KIMBRA
Kimbra has been compared to Missy Elliot, Pharell, Prince, and Michael Jackson.
The 24 year-old New Zealander approaches iconic late-80s and early-90s pop through a unique lens in her latest album, The Golden Echo. NPR's Tom Moon aptly described Kimbra's sophomore release in metaphor. "An echo distorts the qualities of a sound," he writes, "just enough to encourage you to hear it differently."

Kimbra may challenge you to abandon your preconceived notions, but the reward is well worth it.

Full album here.

4. Settle Down

5. 90s Music



OH LAND
This former ballerina turned to music when she was injured and could no longer dance.
Nanna Øland Fabricius was born in Copenhagen, but now lives in Brooklyn where she is planning to record her fourth album (crowdfunded in collaboration with PledgeMusic). Oh Land's sophomore album reached #5 on the Danish charts and she has been touring the globe for years... when she isn't starring in Danish Westerns, that is. (In The Salvation, she plays "Marie." It premiered at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.)

Her music is diverse and well-developed. And by that I mean girl has got some chops

Recommended:

6. Son of a Gun

7. Perfection

8. Wolf & I


HIGHASAKITE
Vocalist Ingrid Helene Håvik met Trond Bersu (on drums) while both were studying at Trondheim Jazz Conservatory. 
I can't say that I've heard of too many contemporary indie bands employing a flugabone to "fill out" their sound. But I dig it, and I really think you will, too.

This Oslo-based band has been touring Europe's biggest festivals and most recently headed stateside for SXSW. The diversity of their sound, full and vibrant, coupled with Ingrid's heart-achingly good lyrics result in a unique and enjoyable listening experience, no matter what country you call home.

Recommended:

9. Since Last Wednesday

10. Son of a Bitch



Jun 5, 2014

The Summer State of Mind Mixtape



GLASS ANIMALS
These guys were the first to sign with Paul Epworth's new label, Wolf Tone.
One of my personal favorites from 2014 (so far) comes in the form of this "quirky quartet" out of Oxford. Glass Animals released their debut full-length album--Zaba--produced by frontman Dave Bayley in a studio located "in the dense Oxfordshire woodland." 

It is difficult to summarize their eclectic sound, but Clash put it best. "Glass Animals create a formula that leaves you curled in a corner marveling at their brilliance." To listen to the entire album before its official release on June 9th, head to the band's official site

Recommended:

1. Gooey 

2. Pools

3. Holiest (with Tei Shi)

Note: These guys are playing The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever on July 2nd, though it's already sold out. 


THEIF
Winner of the Triple J "Unearthed Top Song" competition and recipient of the Foundation for Young Australians Buzz Grant
Thief, formerly Thief Urban, is the electronic project of the Sydney based, multi-talented musician, PJ Wolf. His debut EP, Closer, is a promising mix of synth-pop melody and impressive vocal harmony.

Recommended:

4. Closer (single)

5. Don't Believe You


SIN FANG
Sindri Már Sigfússon = Sin Fang
Reykjavík's own Sin Fang is a dreamy summertime must in Los Angeles. The original member of the band Seabear, Sindri Már Sigfússon has been releasing solo projects under the name Sin Fang and Sin Fang Bous since 2008. Other Seabear alumnus include current members of Kimono, Mr. Silla, and Skakkamanage (as well as several solo acts). 

Recommended:

6. Sing From Dream

7. Young Boys 

8. What's Wrong With Your Eyes?


VACATIONER
"It would be easy to assume that Vacationer would pick up where The Starting Line left off, but that really couldn’t be farther from the truth." (Cincy)
Vacationer was the brainchild of Startling Line's lead singer/bassist Kenny Vasoli, and Body Language. Matt Watt brought the two together at Vasoli's behest, and the rest is beautiful history. The results are an electro-pop nod to the tropics, and one of the greatest "sunny day in SoCal" soundtracks I can imagine.

One of my personal favorites this summer, "The Wild Life" is the most recent release off their upcoming LP, Relief. 

Recommended:

9. The Wild Life

10. Good As New




May 23, 2014

The Indie Weekend Mixtape


DAN CROLL
Dan Croll (aka the Hipster Hamlet), shot by music photographer Pooneh Ghana.
My personal Friday favorites from Dan Croll's growing catalogue are from his In/Out Remix album, so that's where I'm going to start this mixtape. 

Recommended:

1. In/Out by Dan Croll, remixed by William Carl Jr.  
2. In/Out by Dan Croll, remixed by Baardsen. 
3. From Nowhere

From Nowhere is one of the most popular tracks off Dan Croll's debut full-length album, Sweet Disarray. The song is also characteristic of the refreshingly young--sometimes boyish--energy that really gives this album a unique life of its own. 

He's just so damn likable.


Exhibits A and B
And it's not just you, if you got a funny feeling when you saw the video for Dan Croll's "In/Out." I, too, scratched my head and thought, Well, this is a ripoff from Azealia Banks' "212" video..

That's probably because Dan Croll is often mistaken for the extra used in that video. Even more ridiculous, this particular extra is on the receiving end of a vulgar tirade from Azealia Banks in the video.)

Top: Dan Croll Bottom: unknown extra & Azealia Banks
You have to admit, they do look alike. And... are those the same pair of glasses? More from Clash, if you're as amused by this as I am.


REMIX ARTIST COLLECTIVE (RAC)
Created in January 2007 by André Allen Anjos with Karl Kling and Andrew Maury, the Remix Artist Collective pioneered clean, crisp beats with a purpose.
RAC recently released Strangers! Of course, there are some great Friday After Work finds on both Part 1 and Part 2 of the release, but these singles stand out.

4. Let Go, by Kele and MNDR (RAC)

5. Tear You Down, Alex Ebert (RAC)

On Strangers, as in life, RAC's greatest strength is also their greatest challenge. That great strength is the diversity of their talent. As an album, Strangers is heavily weighted towards a few excellent tracks, a handful of really good tracks, and some inevitable mehs. 

As with any diverse population, you'll find a bell-curve of ability (to create hits, dammit!). Weighed as a collective group of musicians and producers, RAC is incredible; so much collective talent. But, the best can't make every track on an album and every song created by "the best" won't necessarily be great. Despite best efforts all around, a few songs miss the mark. 

But, that's the great thing about a collective! Despite a few misses, it's a process that leads to lessons learned all-around in an environment that fosters growth. If taking chances is encouraged by a group of artists, individuals have a unique opportunity to shine, creatively. The burden of any failures is also collective, a weight distributed among many artists. As long as the collective remains successful, overall, it's a positive experience for everyone involved. 

And we, the listeners, benefit more than anyone else.

Having only been around since 2007, RAC has produced hundreds of remixes. That's right... hundreds.


PHANTOGRAM
Phantogram (n.): A 2D image that is distorted using perspectival anamorphosis to appear, when viewing at the correct angle, three-dimensional; usually, standing above or recessed into a flat surface.
6. Fall in Love by Phantogram
7. Nothing but Trouble by Phantogram

It's Friday night. What else would you be doing in LA, if not falling in love or getting into trouble?

Phantogram released their second album and first major-label debut, Voices, on Republic Records. Other notable relevant Republic alumni include James Blake, Lorde, Florence + The Machine, Rhye, St. Vincent, Little Dragon and on, and on. 


Phantogram is in the big leagues now. Want proof? Over at AP, Reed Fischer gave Voices four-and-a-half out of five stars. He went so far as to say that the band's unique sound of "electronic and electric guitar alchemy has simultaneously become more infectious and complex than ever before." Not bad for a sophomore release!


MR LITTLE JEANS 
(Monica Birkenes)
According to an interview with LA Weekly's Art Tavana, Mr Little Jeans/Monica Birkenes is "nothing like the groundskeeper in Wes Anderson's Rushmore, where her musical moniker originates." Thanks for pointing that out, Art.
8. The Suburbs by Mr Little Jeans 
9. The Rescue Song by Mr Little Jeans x RAC


Mr Little Jeans' released her full-length debut album, Pocketknife, in March 2014. It was recorded and produced by Tim Anderson right here in Los Angeles, despite Monica's rural Norwegian roots.
During a Q&A session with ASCAP, Monica Birkenes explains the process of writing and recording Pocketknife:
"There've been great surprises and great disappointments, but it does keep it interesting. The album was written over the course of three years at least, and the sound most certainly went in different directions, especially in the beginning."

She signed with a subsidiary of Capitol Music Group to release Pocketknife on Harvest Records, located in Hollywood.


BANKS
Jillian Banks goes by the stage name BANKS

Female singer/songwriter and synth-pop extraordinaire, Banks, is working on her debut album. Her upcoming full-length is set to be released in early September 2014.

10. Goddess by Banks
11. Drowning by Banks 
12. Before I Ever Met You by Banks






May 16, 2014

The Unconditional Mixtape

Caught a Ghost will be the Getty's musical guest for Saturdays Off the 405 on Saturday, July 26th, so here's some new-school vintage-flavored favorites to celebrate!


NICK WATERHOUSE
LA's own Nick Waterhouse makes Paste's Top 27 of 2014 (So Far) with "It #3" off his latest album, Holly.
Check out some new releases with ageless qualities from Los Angeles' Nick Waterhouse's latest "revivalist" album, Holly. My personal favorite off the track list, "It #3," was also on Paste Magazine's Top 27 Songs of 2014 (So Far). The list was curated by Paste's Josh Jackson, who had the following to say about the song which ranked 21st on his list:
On his rendition of his old pal Ty Segall’s 'It No. 3,' Nick Waterhouse smoothes out any garage-rock rough edges and adds the kind of slick instrumentation that…well, that makes it sound like a Nick Waterhouse song.
We really can't argue with that.


CAUGHT A GHOST
Caught a Ghost, a new project from LA songwriter/producer Jesse Nolan and company, released their exquisite debut album, Human Nature, on +1 Records.
Onto the promised "vintagey" vibes from one of my favorite recently-released albums, Human Nature, brought to you by Los Angeles' very own newcomers, Caught a Ghost. Up until recently, their fans waited in anticipation for the album's release by listening to the single "No Sugar in My Coffee" on repeat. No? That was just me? Oh, okay.

Liz Garo explains the band's name and the bandmates unique relationship to one another:
Caught A Ghost is a new project from Los Angeles songwriter and producer Jesse Nolan, featuring kindergarten classmate Stephen Edelstein on drums and sultry vocals and percussions from actress Tessa Thompson. As Nolan explains, the name of his band refers to the sensation of being filled with a spirit of the past. "It's an old expression," he says, "musicians used to say you 'caught a ghost' if you gave a good performance. Like you were possessed." As the songwriter, producer, and lead singer of the band, Nolan is a devotee of music from bygone eras.


KONGOS
South African brothers and musicians, Kongos, find mainstream success in the US with their single, "Come With Me Now."
The South-African brothers collectively known as Kongos released their 2014 ablum Lunatic stateside with Epic (a division of Sony). You might recognize them from Jimmy Kimmel, where they performed one of the best songs on their albumb "I Want To Know," in March.


Billboard's take on the popular single, "Come With Me Now":

It's the fastest-rising debut top 10 on the chart since Lorde's "Royals" last July. 
Originally released three years ago, their album and hit single is still competing with--pardon the pun--pop royalty like Lorde for radio play. 


For more information on the upcoming line up for Getty's Saturdays off the 405 summer series, check out the Getty's blog post on the subject!

Caught a Ghost
Date: Saturday, July 26, 2014
Time: 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Location: Museum Courtyard
Admission: Free; no reservations required



May 14, 2014

The Stay Cool Mixtape


Well, in case anyone was wondering, it's definitely summer in LA.

If you've been listening to Morning Becomes Eclectic lately--or anything curated by Jason Bentley--you've probably already heard of the up-and-comping band, Somekindawonderful. I'm still trying to puzzle out the whole "Butterfly Militia" thing. But, I digress...

I've been using Oliver Nelson's remix of Somekindawonderful's release, "Reverse," to power through these scorching hot afternoons. It reminds me a bit of RAC's recent album, Strangers, which I'll get to next week.

If you prefer to vibe to something less reminiscent of those EDM days, check out this new, young band out of Baraboo, WI. PHOX's latest release, "Slow Motion" is true to its title; it sounds the way drinking ice cold lemonade tastes.

If you still aren't satisfied, here's my last desperate attempt at making light of this heatwave. Tune-Yards gets funky with one of my personal favorites this week, their single, "Water Fountain."

Stay cool and stay tuned for more music & mixtapes!